A historic Glasgow cemetery will reopen to the public.

Maryhill Road Graveyard is set to welcome guests once again thanks to the work of a local group.

Friends of Maryhill Road Graveyard, set up in January 2023, will hold an open day this weekend to allow locals to have a walk around the forgotten site and see the improvements the workers have made.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)Jane Watson, member of the group, said: "We're really pleased to see the graveyard in this state.

"It's taken a bit longer than we hoped, but it's looking good and with a bit more work, it'll look even better.

"We want to plant some wildflowers, keep it tidy and hope people don't throw litter the into the graveyard.

"The use of the church on the site ceased in the 1960s and it subsequently became a pile of stone, overgrown with vegetation.

"It was locked with growth unchecked and the ground was strewn with rubbish and litter thrown over the walls."

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Friends of Maryhill Road Cemetery group members (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

Volunteers took over the care of the area from Glasgow City Council who continue to support them.

They have already cleaned up, fenced off the land, moved gravestones for safety and visibility, and created a path around the cemetery with benches.

Now, they invite anyone to join them on Sunday from noon until 3pm to see the progress made.

The volunteers' long-term goal is to open the graveyard for two or three days a week for residents as "a place for quiet contemplation in an attractive green space".

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

The burial site sits near Maryhill train station, around what used to be the Maryhill Old Parish Church.

It was donated to the public in 1826 by Lilias Graham, the daughter of Mary Hill and owner of the Gairbraid Estate.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s Convener for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are delighted to have been able to dedicate officer time to help the Friends of Maryhill Road Graveyard get up and running.

"This is a great example of how communities can get involved in their local heritage and greenspaces for the benefit of all.

“The project has been funded by Maryhill Area Partnership via Parks and Open Spaces Funding and the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

"We will continue to support the Friends as they look to manage and promote the site on a day-to-day basis moving forward.”